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imitate_v and_o write_v after_o so_o shall_v you_o approve_v yourselves_o to_o be_v of_o the_o number_n of_o the_o remarkable_a one_o on_o the_o earth_n and_o your_o end_n shall_v be_v in_o peace_n i_o have_v nothing_o more_o to_o add_v but_o that_o i_o be_o your_o very_a humble_a servant_n samuel_n blackerby_n stow-market_n decemb_v 2._o 1673._o psal_n 37.37_o mark_v the_o perfect_a man_n and_o behold_v the_o upright_o for_o the_o end_n of_o that_o man_n be_v peace_n cosmographer_n divide_v the_o inhabitable_a world_n into_o sundry_a and_o many_o part_n and_o tell_v we_o that_o of_o those_o many_o the_o few_o be_v those_o that_o own_o the_o christian_a religion_n or_o the_o name_n of_o a_o christ_n but_o alas_o how_o few_o of_o these_o be_v the_o man_n we_o find_v in_o my_o text_n perfect_a and_o upright_a man_n the_o heap_n of_o chaff_n be_v far_o great_a than_o the_o wheat_n and_o the_o number_n of_o bristol_n or_o pebble_n stone_n far_o great_a than_o of_o pearl_n and_o diamond_n christ_n flock_n be_v a_o very_a little_a little_a flock_n as_o the_o greek_a express_v it_o luk._n 12.32_o many_o be_v call_v but_o few_o be_v choose_v matth._n 20.16_o cast_v out_o the_o gross_o ignorant_a the_o practical_a atheist_n the_o debauch_a and_o profane_a such_o as_o have_v make_v a_o covenant_n with_o death_n and_o be_v at_o a_o agreement_n with_o hell_n that_o can_v drink_v and_o whore_n swear_v and_o blaspheme_v the_o sacred_a name_n of_o god_n profane_a his_o sabbath_n contemn_v his_o ordinance_n cast_v his_o law_n behind_o their_o back_n and_o hate_v to_o be_v account_v serious_a in_o religion_n lest_o they_o shall_v bear_v the_o odious_a title_n of_o fanatic_n i_o say_v cast_v out_o all_o these_o walk_a dunghill_n and_o monstrous_a miscreant_n what_o a_o small_a number_n will_v be_v leave_v behind_o that_o have_v any_o colour_n or_o appearance_n of_o reason_n to_o account_v themselves_o of_o the_o number_n of_o those_o that_o be_v decipher_v and_o characterise_v in_o my_o text_n ay_o but_o then_o cast_v out_o all_o hypocrite_n such_o as_o have_v a_o name_n to_o live_v and_o yet_o be_v dead_a such_o as_o have_v the_o form_n of_o godliness_n and_o yet_o deny_v the_o power_n thereof_o such_o as_o have_v their_o lamp_n of_o profession_n but_o be_v destitute_a of_o the_o oil_n of_o save_a grace_n why_o then_o perhaps_o you_o will_v be_v at_o a_o stand_n and_o ready_a to_o say_v we_o scarce_o know_v where_o to_o find_v these_o heaven_n may_v be_v full_a of_o such_o but_o the_o earth_n bear_v but_o a_o few_o of_o they_o if_o any_o herb-a-grace_n be_v very_o scarce_o and_o it_o be_v very_o true_a such_o as_o these_o be_v very_o rare_a there_o be_v but_o a_o very_a very_o few_o of_o perfect_a and_o upright_o one_o but_o where_o ever_o they_o be_v they_o ought_v to_o be_v mark_v and_o observe_v for_o so_o say_v the_o psalmist_n in_o my_o text_n mark_v the_o perfect_a man_n and_o behold_v the_o upright_a for_o the_o end_n of_o that_o man_n be_v peace_n in_o which_o word_n we_o have_v two_o considerable_n 1._o a_o double_a duty_n enjoin_v mark_v the_o perfect_a man_n and_o behold_v the_o upright_a 2._o a_o reason_n or_o motive_n to_o enforce_v the_o double_a duty_n for_o the_o end_n of_o that_o man_n be_v peace_n first_o here_o be_v a_o double_a duty_n enjoin_v wherein_o you_o have_v 1._o the_o subject_a matter_n or_o act._n 2._o the_o object_n 1._o the_o subject_a matter_n or_o act_n mark_n and_o behold_v 2._o the_o object_n the_o perfect_a man_n and_o the_o upright_a first_o here_o be_v the_o subject_a matter_n or_o act._n 1._o to_o mark._n 2._o to_o behold_v 1._o to_o mark_n the_o hebrew_a word_n shamar_n in_o its_o primitive_a signification_n signify_v to_o keep_v or_o preserve_v one_o from_o danger_n and_o therefore_o a_o noun_n come_v from_o this_o verb_n signify_v a_o watchtower_n a_o place_n to_o descry_v a_o danger_n for_o prevention_n of_o it_o now_o because_o it_o be_v the_o duty_n of_o a_o watchman_n that_o be_v set_v in_o a_o watchtower_n to_o observe_v all_o comer_n and_o goer_n enemy_n as_o well_o as_o friend_n i_o and_o to_o be_v very_o diligent_a and_o accurate_a in_o his_o observation_n of_o they_o therefore_o i_o conceive_v the_o holy_a ghost_n be_v please_v to_o make_v use_n of_o this_o word_n here_o in_o our_o text_n for_o such_o a_o kind_n of_o observation_n we_o ought_v to_o make_v of_o the_o perfect_a and_o upright_a man_n that_o a_o watchman_n shall_v of_o all_o comer_n and_o goer_n near_o the_o watchtower_n we_o shall_v be_v very_o acute_a herein_o as_o of_o a_o matter_n of_o great_a concern_v a_o slight_a thought_n of_o he_o be_v not_o sufficient_a no_o we_o shall_v take_v special_a notice_n of_o he_o as_o a_o person_n most_o remarkable_a
act_n as_o to_o relieve_v himself_o by_o a_o indirect_a course_n for_o he_o will_v not_o take_v the_o name_n of_o god_n upon_o he_o in_o vain_a he_o have_v rather_o die_v then_o do_v it_o now_o when_o god_n have_v thus_o draw_v out_o the_o desire_n of_o the_o soul_n after_o grace_n than_o he_o give_v in_o such_o a_o measure_n as_o shall_v preserve_v it_o and_o keep_v it_o from_o yield_v to_o the_o temptation_n and_o belove_v it_o be_v a_o gracious_a relief_n to_o be_v keep_v in_o a_o holy_a and_o gracious_a frame_n of_o heart_n under_o a_o strong_a and_o powerful_a temptation_n it_o be_v worthy_a of_o a_o christian_n take_v notice_n thereof_o so_o do_v the_o prophet_n this_o poor_a man_n cry_v and_o the_o lord_n hear_v he_o psal_n 34.6_o belove_a if_o you_o be_v never_o so_o poor_a yet_o if_o god_n draw_v out_o your_o heart_n after_o he_o in_o prayer_n you_o shall_v be_v keep_v that_o you_o shall_v not_o take_v any_o indirect_a course_n to_o help_v yourselves_o but_o be_v able_a to_o say_v as_o david_n of_o himself_o this_o poor_a man_n cry_v and_o the_o lord_n hear_v he_o as_o prayer_n be_v the_o desire_n of_o the_o soul_n form_v into_o request_n and_o petition_n so_o cry_v be_v the_o importunity_n of_o the_o soul_n in_o prayer_n petition_n and_o request_n present_v to_o god_n with_o a_o humble_a and_o reverential_a boldness_n it_o be_v a_o wrestle_n with_o god_n for_o a_o blessing_n a_o perseverance_n in_o prayer_n with_o a_o holy_a resolution_n not_o to_o be_v put_v off_o now_o it_o be_v the_o poor_a that_o thus_o cry_v sense_n of_o want_n that_o pinch_v the_o soul_n join_v with_o some_o hope_n of_o obtain_v make_v the_o soul_n to_o cry_v and_o he_o that_o cry_v shall_v be_v hear_v divine_a relief_n shall_v come_v in_o to_o help_v it_o in_o this_o time_n of_o need_n thus_o you_o see_v how_o relief_n come_v in_o to_o a_o good_a man_n in_o the_o want_n of_o all_o outward_a comfort_n second_o when_o the_o strength_n of_o the_o outward_a man_n fail_v and_o this_o be_v proper_o the_o fail_n of_o the_o flesh_n when_o a_o man_n be_v in_o a_o consumptive_a condition_n god_n smite_v the_o body_n and_o then_o the_o flesh_n waste_v the_o beauty_n thereof_o fade_v and_o the_o sense_n grow_v dull_a and_o heavy_a the_o prophet_n david_n have_v great_a experience_n hereof_o and_o therefore_o often_o mention_n it_o in_o his_o psalm_n psal_n 38.10_o my_o strength_n fail_v and_o psal_n 109.24_o my_o flesh_n fail_v of_o fatness_n and_o psal_n 69.3_o my_o eye_n fail_v he_o be_v bring_v low_a even_o to_o the_o mouth_n of_o the_o grave_n but_o divine_a relief_n come_v in_o as_o you_o may_v see_v psal_n 116.6_o i_o be_v bring_v low_a and_o he_o help_v i_o god_n sometime_o raise_v a_o man_n from_o the_o very_a gate_n of_o death_n and_o give_v he_o a_o new_a life_n restore_v he_o to_o his_o former_a health_n and_o strength_n but_o if_o god_n do_v not_o thus_o by_o a_o gracious_a man_n yet_o he_o shall_v have_v cause_n to_o say_v the_o lord_n be_v the_o strength_n of_o my_o heart_n in_o this_o weak_a and_o low_a estate_n and_o condition_n divine_a relief_n shall_v be_v give_v to_o he_o 1._o to_o support_v and_o strengthen_v he_o to_o bear_v his_o affliction_n with_o patience_n the_o power_n and_o grace_n of_o god_n be_v wonderful_o see_v in_o bear_v up_o the_o spirit_n when_o the_o body_n sink_v and_o in_o give_v grace_n to_o exercise_v patience_n under_o the_o pain_n and_o sorrow_n of_o death_n you_o have_v hear_v say_v saint_n james_n of_o the_o patience_n of_o job_n jam._n 5.11_o as_o you_o hear_v of_o his_o corporal_a affliction_n how_o soar_o he_o be_v handle_v so_o you_o have_v hear_v of_o his_o patience_n how_o gracious_o he_o be_v he_o be_v support_v that_o he_o can_v bear_v his_o affliction_n without_o murmur_a or_o repine_v it_o be_v true_a it_o make_v he_o groan_v i_o but_o the_o stroke_n be_v heavy_a than_o his_o groan_a as_o he_o say_v job_n 23.2_o even_o to_o day_n be_v my_o complaint_n bitter_a my_o stroke_n be_v heavy_a than_o my_o groan_v the_o spirit_n of_o a_o man_n will_v sustain_v corporal_a infirmity_n when_o god_n sustain_v the_o spirit_n now_o patience_n under_o affliction_n be_v equivalent_a to_o a_o deliverance_n from_o they_o to_o be_v able_a to_o bear_v a_o affliction_n be_v as_o great_a a_o mercy_n as_o to_o be_v free_v from_o it_o if_o god_n rebuke_n the_o fever_n of_o impatiency_n and_o thereby_o cure_v that_o it_o be_v as_o much_o as_o to_o rebuke_v a_o bodily_a distemper_n and_o thereby_o to_o cure_v it_o so_o you_o may_v see_v 1_o cor._n 10.13_o there_o have_v no_o temptation_n take_v you_o but_o that_o which_o be_v common_a to_o man_n but_o god_n be_v faithful_a who_o will_v not_o suffer_v you_o to_o be_v tempt_v above_o that_o you_o be_v able_a but_o will_v with_o the_o temptation_n also_o make_v a_o way_n to_o â—scape_v that_o you_o may_v be_v able_a to_o bear_v it_o i._n e._n i_o can_v assure_v you_o that_o thus_o far_o you_o shall_v be_v set_v free_a from_o your_o temptation_n &_o 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christian_n never_o flourish_v so_o much_o as_o when_o old_a age_n have_v nip_v the_o flesh_n and_o it_o be_v a_o lovely_a sight_n to_o see_v gray_a hair_n a_o consumptive_a body_n and_o a_o wither_a face_n fat_a and_o flourish_a in_o holiness_n and_o righteousness_n to_o see_v summer-fruit_n upon_o a_o old_a tree_n in_o wintertime_n and_o yet_o thus_o it_o be_v with_o good_a christian_n their_o winter_n of_o old_a age_n be_v their_o most_o flourish_a time_n when_o nature_n be_v most_o spend_v grace_n come_v to_o its_o great_a strength_n and_o perfection_n i'faith_o strong_a love_v to_o god_n and_o christ_n most_o inflame_v hope_v most_o lively_a and_o holiness_n most_o beautiful_a and_o sparkle_a the_o great_a beauty_n in_o the_o soul_n when_o the_o body_n be_v turn_v to_o rottenness_n and_o putrefaction_n when_o the_o natural_a breath_n smell_v of_o the_o earth_n the_o spiritual_a breath_n savour_v most_o of_o heaven_n the_o eye_n of_o the_o soul_n most_o clear_a in_o discern_v spiritual_a and_o heavenly_a thing_n when_o the_o eye_n of_o the_o body_n grow_v dim_a and_o dark_a the_o hand_n of_o faith_n most_o steady_a to_o take_v hold_n on_o divine_a promise_n when_o the_o corporal_a hand_n shake_v with_o the_o palsy_n and_o the_o foot_n of_o the_o soul_n run_v fast_o towards_o the_o mark_n for_o the_o price_n of_o the_o high_a call_n in_o christ_n when_o the_o bodily_a foot_n can_v move_v so_o true_a it_o be_v that_o a_o christian_n may_v say_v as_o s._n paul_n say_v when_o i_o be_o weak_a then_o be_o i_o strong_a weak_a in_o my_o outward_a man_n but_o strong_a in_o the_o inward_a 3._o divine_a relief_n come_v in_o to_o the_o heart_n of_o a_o
his_o hellish_a temptation_n god_n will_v bring_v he_o out_o with_o a_o holy_a triumph_n hence_o be_v that_o of_o psal_n 5.11_o 12._o but_o let_v all_o those_o that_o put_v their_o trust_n in_o thou_o rejoice_v let_v they_o ever_o shout_v for_o joy_n because_o thou_o defende_v they_o let_v they_o also_o that_o love_n thy_o name_n be_v joyful_a in_o thou_o for_o thou_o lord_n will_v bless_v the_o righteous_a with_o favour_n will_v thou_o compass_v he_o as_o with_o a_o shield_n the_o hebrew_n word_n signify_v thou_o will_v crown_v he_o with_o a_o shield_n some_o think_v that_o the_o prophet_n allude_v to_o a_o custom_n of_o the_o athenian_n who_o be_v wont_a if_o a_o soldier_n bring_v his_o shield_n with_o he_o out_o of_o the_o battle_n safe_a and_o whole_a although_o he_o lose_v his_o sword_n to_o lay_v his_o shield_n upon_o his_o head_n and_o with_o that_o as_o with_o a_o diadem_n to_o crown_v he_o he_o that_o hold_v fast_o the_o shield_n of_o faith_n in_o a_o hour_n of_o temptation_n shall_v wear_v it_o on_o his_o head_n as_o his_o crown_n the_o trial_n of_o a_o christian_n faith_n which_o be_v much_o more_o precious_a then_o of_o gold_n that_o perish_v though_o it_o be_v try_v with_o fire_n shall_v be_v find_v unto_o praise_n honour_n and_o glory_n at_o the_o appear_v of_o jesus_n christ_n 1_o pet._n 1.7_o and_o hence_o be_v that_o of_o the_o apostle_n i_o have_v fight_v the_o good_a fight_n i_o have_v keep_v the_o faith_n and_o from_o henceforth_o there_o be_v lay_v up_o for_o i_o a_o crown_n of_o righteousness_n 2_o tim._n 4.7_o 8._o thus_o i_o have_v open_v the_o doctrine_n and_o show_v you_o what_o relief_n flow_v from_o god_n to_o his_o people_n both_o when_o their_o flesh_n fail_v and_o when_o their_o heart_n fail_v 1._o when_o the_o natural_a faculty_n of_o the_o soul_n fail_v 2._o when_o the_o infuse_a habit_n of_o the_o soul_n fail_v and_o 3._o when_o the_o animal_n spirit_n fail_v now_o i_o will_v give_v you_o the_o ground_n and_o reason_n thereof_o reas_n 1._o take_a from_o that_o near_a relation_n that_o be_v between_o god_n and_o good_a man_n he_o be_v their_o father_n and_o they_o his_o child_n he_o be_v their_o husband_n and_o they_o his_o wife_n now_o this_o double_a relation_n speak_v forth_o that_o infinite_a love_n that_o god_n bear_v to_o they_o and_o special_a care_n that_o god_n have_v of_o they_o god_n bear_v a_o love_n to_o his_o people_n not_o only_o like_a to_o the_o love_n of_o a_o father_n but_o infinite_o beyond_o the_o love_n of_o a_o father_n the_o love_n of_o a_o father_n to_o his_o child_n be_v but_o a_o dark_a resemblance_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n to_o his_o child_n and_o therefore_o as_o god_n out-loves_a all_o parent_n so_o he_o outdo_v all_o parent_n his_o love_n be_v the_o love_n of_o a_o infinite_a father_n and_o therefore_o know_v no_o bound_n either_o of_o time_n or_o measure_n and_o his_o relief_n be_v proportionable_a to_o his_o love_n relief_n wrought_v by_o a_o almighty_a arm_n see_v this_o clear_o hold_v forth_o jer._n 31.9_o i_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o walk_v by_o the_o river_n of_o water_n in_o straaight_a way_n wherein_o they_o shall_v not_o stumble_v and_o why_o for_o i_o be_o a_o father_n unto_o israel_n and_o ephraim_n be_v my_o first-born_a divine_a paternity_n be_v one_o main_a ground_n of_o a_o saint_n relief_n this_o be_v the_o reason_n why_o he_o will_v cause_v they_o to_o walk_v by_o the_o river_n of_o water_n in_o a_o straight_a way_n wherein_o they_o shall_v not_o stumble_v because_o he_o be_v their_o father_n you_o know_v what_o dear_a and_o tender_a affection_n a_o good_a father_n bear_v to_o his_o child_n especial_o to_o his_o first-born_a all_o the_o child_n want_n weakness_n and_o grief_n be_v a_o trouble_n and_o grief_n to_o the_o father_n much_o more_o be_v god_n affect_v with_o the_o faint_n and_o fail_n of_o his_o child_n so_fw-ge es_fw-ge 63.8_o 9_o he_o say_v sure_o they_o be_v my_o people_n so_o he_o be_v their_o saviour_n in_o all_o their_o affliction_n he_o be_v afflict_v and_o the_o angel_n of_o his_o presence_n save_v they_o in_o his_o love_n and_o in_o his_o pity_n he_o redeem_v they_o and_o he_o bear_v they_o and_o carry_v they_o all_o the_o day_n of_o old_a the_o prophet_n allude_v to_o the_o song_n of_o moses_n deut._n 32.11_o as_o a_o eagle_n stir_v up_o her_o nest_n flutter_v over_o her_o young_a spread_v abroad_o her_o wing_n take_v they_o bear_v they_o on_o her_o wing_n so_o the_o lord_n alone_o do_v lead_v he_o how_o do_v this_o silly_a creature_n bestir_v herself_o when_o her_o young_a one_o be_v in_o danger_n she_o stir_v up_o her_o nest_n she_o flutter_v over_o her_o young_a and_o spread_v abroad_o her_o wing_n and_o if_o all_o this_o will_v not_o secure_v they_o she_o take_v they_o up_o and_o bear_v they_o upon_o her_o wing_n but_o how_o much_o more_o will_v god_n who_o be_v the_o fountain_n of_o such_o a_o disposition_n in_o his_o creature_n bestir_v himself_o and_o put_v forth_o his_o almighty_a arm_n for_o the_o relief_n of_o his_o dear_a one_o he_o will_v bear_v they_o upon_o the_o wing_n of_o his_o providence_n and_o carry_v they_o out_o of_o all_o danger_n satan_n shall_v not_o make_v a_o prey_n of_o they_o if_o any_o thing_n will_v draw_v forth_o the_o bowel_n of_o a_o creature_n the_o same_o will_v draw_v forth_o the_o bowel_n of_o god_n yea_o much_o more_o luke_n 11.13_o if_o you_o be_v evil_a know_v how_o to_o give_v good_a gift_n unto_o your_o child_n how_o much_o more_o shall_v your_o heavenly_a father_n give_v the_o spirit_n alas_o the_o love_n of_o the_o creature_n be_v but_o a_o drop_n in_o comparison_n of_o the_o love_n of_o god_n and_o therefore_o there_o must_v needs_o be_v more_o life_n and_o vigour_n in_o the_o love_n of_o god_n then_o in_o the_o love_n of_o all_o creature_n as_o there_o be_v more_o heat_n in_o the_o body_n of_o the_o sun_n then_o in_o all_o its_o ray_n be_v they_o all_o contract_v into_o one_o ray_n so_o it_o be_v here_o and_o therefore_o if_o a_o earthly_a creature_n be_v so_o apt_a to_o tender_v the_o good_a and_o welfare_n of_o those_o that_o belong_v to_o it_o what_o propensity_n be_v there_o in_o the_o heart_n of_o god_n to_o relieve_v his_o people_n when_o they_o be_v in_o any_o strait_n many_o a_o orphan_n sit_v down_o and_o weep_v over_o himself_o in_o his_o calamity_n and_o thus_o bemoan_v his_o condition_n if_o my_o father_n be_v alive_a he_o will_v not_o see_v i_o want_v he_o will_v pity_v and_o relieve_v i_o in_o my_o sad_a condition_n why_o beloved_n there_o be_v never_o a_o child_n of_o god_n that_o needs_o put_v finger_n in_o the_o eye_n in_o this_o respect_n for_o your_o father_n be_v alive_a he_o live_v for_o ever_o he_o be_v a_o everlasting_a father_n and_o as_o our_o text_n say_v a_o portion_n for_o ever_o and_o as_o he_o be_v a_o tender_a father_n so_o he_o be_v a_o kind_a husband_n so_fw-ge es_fw-ge 54.5_o for_o thy_o maker_n be_v thy_o husband_n though_o he_o will_v not_o relieve_v and_o help_v man_n because_o he_o be_v their_o maker_n yet_o he_o will_v relieve_v and_o help_v all_o those_o to_o who_o he_o be_v a_o husband_n as_o long_o as_o marriage_n covenant_n hold_v god_n will_v take_v the_o care_n of_o his_o spouse_n in_o sickness_n as_o well_o as_o in_o health_n in_o poverty_n as_o in_o riches_n in_o weakness_n as_o in_o strength_n nay_o as_o a_o good_a husband_n be_v most_o tender_a over_o his_o wife_n in_o the_o time_n of_o her_o weakness_n and_o sickness_n even_o so_o be_v god_n to_o his_o spouse_n she_o shall_v want_v nothing_o that_o a_o almighty_a hand_n can_v provide_v for_o she_o reas_n 2._o take_a from_o god_n design_n in_o all_o his_o people_n strait_n and_o necessity_n god_n let_v they_o fall_v into_o strait_n that_o he_o may_v have_v the_o glory_n of_o their_o relief_n whatever_o hand_n bring_v they_o in_o it_o be_v a_o divine_a hand_n that_o must_v bring_v they_o out_o we_o may_v say_v of_o all_o a_o christian_n trouble_n and_o fail_n both_o of_o flesh_n and_o 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